Amsterdam, (1617) 1643-50

A Fine, Original Color example of the famous map of the African Continent with decorative borders:  Africae nova descriptio Auct Guiljelmo Blaeuw.

Original copperplate printed map
Original Color
410 x 555 mm
Map # AF-566
$ 7,500

Click Here for High Resolution Image of Map

High Resolution Close-up of Above Section of Map

High Resolution Close-up of Above Town View (Cairo)

High Resolution Close-up of Verso
 

A fine example of Willem Blaeu's famous map of Africa.  This is a map that appeals both to a sense of cartographic history and to an aesthetic sense of beauty.  This is a cornerstone, folio-size map of Africa and is one of the better known, more decorative maps of Africa of the 17th century.  "The most decorative and popular of all early maps of Africa with side borders of double costume figures and a top border of vignette plans of nine of the principal cities" (Tooley, p 29).  The map itself is decorated with ships, sea monsters, flying fish, and various African animals.

The map continues to follow the Ptolemaic view of Africa with the Nile River's source in Lakes Zaire and Zaflan.  Information on coastal points is clearly identified based on the explorations of the Portuguese and others, and from Arab settlements on the east coast.

Willem Janszoon, or Willem Jansz Blaeu (1571-1638) as he is more commonly known, was one of the most noted Dutch cartographers and map publisher of the 17^th century.  R.V. Tooley stated that Blaeu’s maps are "esteemed by collectors for their decorative quality, historical importance, and as the highest expression of Dutch cartographic art during the period of its supremacy" (Tooley, p 28).  

After preparation as a pupil of the great Danish astronomer,Tycho Brahe, Blaeu initially concentrated on globe making and separately published maps, including wall maps of the continents.  From 1608, he dominated the market for sea atlases and in 1630 produced his terrestrial atlas.  These atlases were continued by his sons, culminating in the great Atlas Maior of 1662 in 11 volumes with subsequent editions.

This particular map is from a French edition of Blaeu's atlas of 1643-50.   This map first appeared in an atlas in Blaeu's Atlantis Appendix of 1630.   This map has French text on the verso with a signature of "A" and with a page number of "1". 

The map is in its 3rd state.   The 1st state of 1617 was issued separately and has the name of "Willem Jansz" (not Blaeu) in the title cartouche.   This state is rare and is virtually impossible to acquire.   The 2nd state of 1621-30 has the name changed to "Guiljelmo Blaeuw" in the title.  There is a 3rd state.  In this state, there is additional hatching around the sea monsters as a result of re-engraving due to the wear of the copperplate. 

References:   Betz 57.3,  Betz, Richard L., with Penelope W. Betz. The Mapping of Africa: A Cartobibliography of Printed Maps of the African Continent to 1700. 't Goy-Houten, The Netherlands: HES & De Graaf Publishers, 2007. 
Tooley, Collectors' Guide to Maps of Africa, p.28-29.  Norwich, 32.   Krogt, Peter van der, Koeman's Atlantes Neerlandici, vol.II, p.596.  Schilder, Gunter with Klaus Stopp, Monumenta Cartographica Neerlandica vol VI, p. 116-119.

Fine Condition.  Clean, strong image with attractive original color.  No paper separations, with complete, un-trimmed margins (the high resolution image above shows most of the margins).